An exclusive journey

Tuscany

8-24

Guests

8 / 7

Days / Nights

15

Meals

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars invites you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tuscany. We’ve designed this exclusive itinerary including a visit with a few classic properties belonging to the Antinori Family – one of Italy’s oldest wine producers and joint partner of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars since 2007. Tour and taste at the modern Antinori Winery in Chianti, experience Antinori wines at their 1-star Michelin restaurant at the Abbey of Passignano and savor traditional Tuscan cooking at La Cantinetta Antinori in Florence. Along the way, we’ll also experience a Tuscan cooking workshop, the charming towns of Siena and Cortona, the famous sites of Florence, and much more. Join us on this amazing journey.

Learn

the traditions of Tuscan cooking during a hands-on workshop

Explore

Chianti, Siena, Pienza, and more, tasting local specialties and wines along the way

View

ancient cathedrals and works of art while discovering beautiful Florence

Thu, May 14

Day 1

Cortona

Land in the Florence Airport, and meet your Travel Director in the arrivals hall. Take a private transfer to our historical residence, a former hunting manor built by a protégé of the Medici Family. The villa, now known as Villa di Piazzano, has been painstakingly restored into an exclusive property that reflects the beauty of the surrounding Tuscan and Umbria countryside.

Unwind at the property and stroll through the gorgeous grounds, which includes a perfectly manicured garden filled with intense aromas of jasmine and lavender. Savor a welcome dinner at the villa’s lovely restaurant.

Dinner

Overnight at Villa di Piazzano

Fri, May 15

Day 2

Tuscan Pasta Workshop

Roll up your sleeves this morning for a hands-on culinary class to learn the art of Tuscan cooking with Villa di Piazzano’s executive chef and forage for fresh herbs in the beautiful garden adjacent to the property! When the food is ready, sit down and savor the prepared fare paired with a selection of Tuscan wines.

In the afternoon, visit an olive oil mill in Cortona — one of the few remaining mills to operate a traditional, cold-stone milling process. We’ll meet the family and taste fragrant, freshly pressed oils over wood-fire grilled bruschetta. After, explore the treasures of Cortona on a privately guided tour. Discover the city’s amazing Etruscan history and visit some of its most important sites. Stay in Cortona for dinner on your own this evening.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Villa di Piazzano

Sat, May 16

Day 3

Val d’Orcia

This morning, head to the beautiful medieval and Renaissance town of Montepulciano for a very special winery visit. Taste one of the most sought-after Tuscan wines: Nobile di Montepulciano. Enjoy a light lunch and take a stroll among the cobble stones streets of this charming village located between the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia.

After a short drive with breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia, we’ll arrive in the picturesque hillside village of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour of this Tuscan gem, famous - among other things - for the production of pecorino. Enjoy some free time to shop around Pienza’s gourmet and petite boutiques. Return to the property and unwind. Dinner tonight is on your own back at the property.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Villa di Piazzano

Sun, May 17

Day 4

CASTIGLION FIORENTINO

Drive to the small, walled city of Castiglion Fiorentino, and spend the morning with cheese affineur Andrea Magi at his laboratory. Learn techniques to taste, cut, and smell different cheese varieties. Tour the two microclimate caves Andrea has built onsite for aging these cheeses. Back at the property, enjoy a light lunch.

CORTONA

Unwind at the villa late this afternoon, perhaps enjoying the outside pool or follow a naturalist on a gentle hike in the hills behind the property but make sure to be back in time for dinner which will showcase a very special wine pairing.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight at Villa di Piazzano

Mon, May 18

Day 5

SIENA

Discover the medieval gem of Siena on a guided walking tour with a very special local guide. Visit the Siena Duomo, the art-filled Casa di Santa Caterina and Piazza del Campo. Enjoy lunch at your leisure at any of Siena’s charming restaurants and wander the streets of Siena on your own.

VALIANO

Get back to the property and unwind before getting ready for a short drive, that will take you the Avignonesi winery estate. Located in the village of Valiano near the historic town of Montepulciano, here you will experience the vineyards, villa, chapel and ancient stone wine cellars that are the heart of the Avignonesi winery through an exclusive tour of the vineyards and the winery. Your host will introduce you to winemaking in Avignonesi and the principles of biodynamic viticulture. Afterward, enjoy a private dinner paired with Avignonesi wines at the estate before heading back to the property.

Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at Villa di Piazzano

Tue, May 19

Day 6

ANTINORI WINERY IN CHIANTI

Rise early for breakfast and check-out. Head to Antinori’s ultra-modern winery in the Chianti Classico countryside. Enjoy the state-of-the-art winemaking facility built within the Tuscan landscape. Walk the property and visit the fermentation, aging, and reserve areas. Experience a private tasting of Antinori wines, and learn about the Antinori family tree that dates back twenty-six generations to 1385.

TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA

Head to Abbey of Passignano, an ancient monastery with an osteria, wine cellar, and the Vallombrosan Order of monks. Stroll the Antinori-owned vineyards that surround the abbey. After, enjoy a rustic lunch at their 1-star Michelin restaurant. Your private bus will then take you to Florence – dinner is on your own this evening.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Wed, May 20

Day 7

FLORENCE

Take in the storied culture of Florence this morning. Join our local guide for a walking tour of Florence’s famous sites, like the Duomo di Firenze, San Lorenzo Market, the Ponte Vecchio, and more. Finally, visit the Accademia di Belle Arti, an art academy founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1563, that now hosts the original statue of Michelangelo’s famous David. Lunch and the afternoon are on your own to explore Florence.

This evening, sip on prosecco, followed by a special farewell dinner paired with Antinori wines at La Cantinetta Antinori. Discover the beauty of this restaurant, located in the Antinori Palace, a gorgeous Renaissance palace bought by the Antinori family in 1506.

Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Thu, May 21

Day 8

Florence

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking a private transfer to the Florence Airport. Not ready to leave Italy behind? Continue your journey on an optional four-day extension in Rome. Arrivederci!

Extend your trip

+ 4 days in Rome

Thu, May 22

Day 8

Travel to Rome and check into your hotel. Meet your guide for an exclusive visit of the Italian “White House”: the Quirinal Palace. Located on the highest of the seven hills of Rome, the Quirinal is one of the nine largest palaces in the world, nonetheless, it has stayed unknown to most tourists. Formally a Papal residence, it has housed four Kings of Italy and twelve presidents of the Italian Republic. Walk the hallways of this historic and institutional landmark, enjoy its rich art, and finally visit the beautiful carriage collection. Return to the hotel to unwind and enjoy lunch on your own. Tonight, gather to enjoy Rome under the evening lights together with your private driver and guide who will showcase to you the Campidoglio, the Fori Romani, the Colosseum, and the infamous Piazza di Spagna.

Breakfast

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Fri, May 23

Day 9

This morning, we’ll head to the winemaking town of Frascati, located just outside Rome’s city center. Discover the historic center of Frascati and see the catacombs, Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, and more. After, enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a lovely estate set upon acres of vineyards and olive groves.

Breakfast, lunch

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Sat, May 24

Day 10

Meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast to embark on a special private tour of Rome. Walk along narrow alleys, and pass through impressive piazzas, while learning its storied history - the one of emperors, courtesans, kings, popes and incredible artists. Return to the hotel to enjoy its spa or take some time to shop among Rome’s beautiful boutiques. This evening, chose a restaurant on your own or follow one of our suggestions for your farewell to the Eternal City.

Breakfast

Overnight at Palazzo Naiadi

Sun, May 25

Day 11

Savor your last breakfast in Italy, then take a private transfer to the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport for flights home.

Accommodations

Villa Di Piazzano

Enjoy this restored historic residence, perfectly situated for exploring nearby Cortona, Pienza, Siena, and the Val d’ Orcia. While this luxury villa was once the private hunting manor of Cardinal Silvio Passerini, it has been recently transformed into a gorgeous hotel. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor terrace, bar, and lush garden filled with cypress trees, roses, peonies, gardenias, and more. Rest in one of the property’s bright and colorful rooms.

Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Enjoy this boutique hotel in the center of Florence. Located in a picturesque square, this hotel offers luxury accommodations and breathtaking views of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella from its rooftop terrace. Rest in one of the property’s unique rooms, decorated with marble lacquered woodworking in the traditional Florentine style.

Palazzo Naiadi (Rome Extension)

In Rome, enjoy this luxury palace located in Piazza della Repubblica. The property includes two superb restaurants, a stunning terrace and pool overlooking Rome, and an exclusive well-being center. Enjoy the property’s spacious, elegant rooms with neoclassical styles and finishes.

Details

Dates

Flight Information

Activity Level

This trip has been designed to include daily exploratory walks that range from one to three hours. Each day, whether touring a city or winery, guests should be prepared to be on their feet for multiple continuous hours. Guests should feel comfortable strolling along cobbled surfaces, walking up and down stairs, and sauntering down uneven nature paths. Europe tends to have Old World infrastructure (narrow cobblestone streets, lack of elevators, etc.), which can leave some areas inaccessible. If you require any walking assistance, please inquire with our guest services team. Typically, our more invigorating walks are included as optional activities. Please contact us at guestservices@experi.com if you have questions.

Note: Group maximum is based on double occupancy. The itinerary is subject to change or substitution at any time. You can learn more at experi.com/terms.

Included

Seven nights accommodations, including all taxes and fees

Meals as listed on the itinerary: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners, plus wine pairings with most major meals

All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, and transportation

Gratuities for travel director, local guides, drivers, porters, and included meals

Full guiding services of a dedicated Travel Director

Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program

Not Included

Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses

Air and land transportation to/from host cities

All types of personal insurance

Personal expenses

Additional alcoholic beverages beyond what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals